Are You Interested in Power or Influence?
'Power lasts ten years. Influence not more than a hundred.'
--old Korean proverb
Working With Words
A weblog devoted to spurring a conversation among those who use words to varying degrees in their daily work. Hosted by John Ettorre, a Cleveland-based writer and editor. Please email me at: john.ettorre@gmail.com. "There comes a time when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real." --James Salter
Monday, December 15, 2008
About Me
- Name: John Ettorre
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
I'm a Cleveland, Ohio-based writer, editor and writing coach, with more than 25 years of experience, including stints in Chicago and Washington, D.C. My work has appeared in more than 100 print and online publications, from the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor to local and regional publications. My work has been recognized by awards (including an Emmy) from four journalism groups.
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6 Comments:
I'm interested in power that influences positive change.
Neve Black
Good answer. Anyone else care to add their two cents?
I'm interested in eating more Christmas cookies. Wait...what are we talking about?
Aren't you still talking about Roger Clemens? He has a lot of power but not much influence.
Seriously, as the Korean proverb implies, power is important to the one who wields it, but influence is much more important for everyone else and much more lasting.
There are many organizations in which the leader -- the one who influences the organization -- may be someone other than the head of the organization.
You're another example. As a freelance writer you may not have outright power. But in your ability to research thoroughly and present information effectively, you exert considerable influence.
I've always wanted to be a Grey Eminence. It's far more influential a position than the figurehead of power, anyway. And besides, those lovely shadows, instead of that pesky spotlight. Who could resist?
Resistance is futile.
Michelle, we can talk about anything you like. Mike, you make a good case. Perhaps we should change the phrase from the power of the pen to the influence of the pen. And Art, I like the gray eminence designation too, just minus the gray, though.
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